Identity & Memory Loss
December 26, 2008
One of my first lessons about the value of identity for those with memory loss came when I was a young new social worker in a nursing home. The special teacher who inspired me was named Wade.
Wade had dementia, a condition affecting his communication, his sense of his own identity, and his ability to relate to others. He was lonely and he struggled to find the words for his stories. He paced the halls, speaking incomplete sentences to whomever would listen. Sometimes he tried to coax caregivers and visitors into his room to look at the one small photo behind glass of him next to his plane. When there, he would stand in front of his photo - bright, proud and sure of his identity as a father and pilot. His words would come faster, his smile would beam across the room and sometimes he would take my hand. He loved to talk about flying planes.
When I complete a book for someone with memory loss, I think of Wade trying to get people into his room to gather around his one picture - the lone picture we couldn’t take down or hold safely, but the photo that helped bring Wade to himself and spark his memory.
Here’s to you, Wade, wherever you are.
-Kiessa
Client names are changed for confidentiality or used with permission.
Minnesota Farms as Art
December 19, 2008
Rural Minnesota Farm
Submitted to Beautiful Life for photo restoration, this image was treated for yellowing, fading, spotting, then adjusted to appear as an artistic creation.
Many Minnesota family farms have been photographed, capturing the homes and landscapes that are central to many growing families, hard work and rural beauty.
This photo is a timeless snapshot of a place that has been important to many generations of one Minnesota family. Now, future generations will enjoy it in its restored and artistically altered form!
My Family History
December 16, 2008
One of the best gifts I received this holiday season was one that I created for myself - a book about my grandparents. (Above, in a page from the book, I am pictured with my cousin Todd and Grandma Webster - see more of the book under Types of Books > Individual History).
I grew up in Wyoming in a family that didn’t always sit down long enough to tell stories. So, the opportunity to visit my uncle, great-uncle, aunts and cousins to learn about the grandfather I never met and the grandmother I cherished was a thrill. In addition to spending quality time with family members, I think we all learned things that we never knew… Who knew that Grandma had blond hair as a child? And, wasn’t it a comfort to learn that just before her death Grandma had told her brother that she was happy with her life and was ready to pass on? How many of us weren’t there, or didn’t remember the incredible words that were spoken about Grandpa’s integrity and work ethic at his memorial service?
This record of our history, and time spent together creating it was such a gift. It is one I will always treasure. This holiday season I am grateful to be helping other families to record and preserve their family histories as well.
Origins of Beautiful Life
December 10, 2008
One of the most frequently asked questions has been, “How did the idea of this business come to be?” The answer is that the concept for Beautiful Life’s books evolved over many years of working with the elderly.
While working in nursing homes, hospice programs, assisted living facilities and community-based service programs I have noticed again and again that questions about one’s past accomplishments, one’s friends or one’s grandchildren can bring a smile or a calmness that few other topics or conversations can bring. Unfortunately, sometimes as visitors or professionals, we forget to ask these questions, especially to those who may be struggling with communication or memory loss. Particularly as the care needs of the aged become more pressing, it can be easy to focus on medical care and spend less time talking about past accomplishments, interests, relationships, important roles and dreams.
Beautiful Life books help capture this history and identity, reminding caregivers, friends, even ourselves of the richness in our past as well as our present, hopefully bringing us all closer to the pride, dignity and human connection that make life so beautiful.
- Kiessa
Restored Photos as Gifts
December 5, 2008
This week brought one of Beautiful Life’s more challenging photo restoration projects yet. Repairing damage to faces can be tricky, but not impossible. This beautiful picture has been digitally restored to its original grandeur, now en route to be delivered as a Christmas gift.
Old photos that have been restored are unique and lasting gifts - perfect for the special someone who has everything.